First Look Review

Introduction

Bronco Models earned their reputation as a high quality manufacturer of 1/35 scale kits and now they are trying the 1/48 scale market. Their first releases cover the range of Staghound armored cars; the Mk. III is already available, while the Staghound AA and Staghound with rockets are on their way to the shelves of hobby stores.

The Mk. III version had a modified Crusader III tank turret with the Mk.V 75 mm gun and was produced in small numbers. Due to lack of space for the gun ammunition the bow MG was removed, although the mount was kept.

contents

The kit comes in a cardboard box with an artwork on top and some information on the sides. Inside there are 5 tan styrene sprues, 1 clear sprue, 1 PE fret, a decal sheet, and a piece of twine. The instructions span 15 pages and those include: a brief annotation In English, German and Chinese; color chart for Humbrol, Tamiya, Mr. Hobby paints; parts layout; assembly instructions and paint guide. Unlike 1/35 releases of Bronco which have colored instructions this one is printed in black and white.

Review

The hull consists of 9 parts and has excellent detail on all surfaces, except the interior. There is excellent detail on the inner sides of hatches and engine access doors and there is a possibility to glue them in the open position should there be any after-market interior available later.

The exhaust mufflers have PE covers as an option. The driver compartment roof has separate visor ports and periscopes as clear parts and these can be also be posed in the open or closed positions.

The suspension is nicely detailed and features axles, steering linkage, suspension mountings, and suspension springs (those are 1 part unlike the 1/35 scale kit). Each of the 4 large wheels consists of 2 parts and there are 3 locating pins inside to ensure the proper tire pattern alignment. The four fenders come as separate parts and have PE mud flaps. Other details included are: jerry can, smoke launchers, OVM tools, head and tail lights, towing eyes and mirrors. The headlights have PE guards and there is a plastic part that should be used to bend them into proper shape.

The turret is built up of multiple parts and has great bolt detail. Hatches can be assembled open or closed and are nicely detailed. Apart from the gun and MG inside there is no interior provided. There are 2 options for the gun barrel – US M3 75 mm (incorrect variant) and British Mk.V 75 mm (you should use that one). Additional exterior detail includes lifting eyes and aerial mounts. Finally there is a piece of twine to make a towing cable, which I never used in their 1/35 scale kits and I am not sure if it can be used here.

Painting and Markings:
Two options are available – 2nd Canadian corps, Germany 1945 and 2nd New Zealand Inf. Division, Italy 1945. Both variants have overall British olive drab no. 15.

Conclusion

I am not a 1/48 scale expert but to me this kit is a gem. Crisp detail, PE parts, interesting subject and, taking into account that the 1/35 Staghounds from Bronco construct very well, I don’t think that there should be any major problems with this model. Stay connected for a full build and paint feature on Armorama in the near future – my tools are ready and I have OD paint jars waiting!

References:

Armored Car, A History of American Wheeled Combat Vehicles, R.P Hunnicutt (this book has 1/48 schemes of Staghound Mk.III)